Loose-leaf binder



Patented ug. 4, 1925,

UNITED STATES 1,548,147 PATENroFFicE.

RALPH W. E. 'L'EACI-I, .OF BOSTON, M ASSACI-IUSE'ITS.v

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed June 27, 19,24. Serial No. 722,859.

Be it known that I, RALPH W. E. LEAGH, a citizen of the United States, and a residentof Boston, in the county o-f Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in 'Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following description, in connection with the. accom )an innr drawings is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings representing like parts.

My present'iiivention relates to binders, and more particularly to an improvement in temporary binders or loose `sheet holders.

In temporary binders such as are 'employed, for example, in' loose leaf ledgers, it has been dilicult to devise a binde-r which will remain closed when not in use and yet which will allow the binder or folder to be opened so as to lay the sheets of material liat ,as -tliey must be held in vorderto successfully allow the ledger to function as a -loose leaf ledger.

`rear edge of each of the clamping -stripsfor plates are cooperating hinge'members which may be slidably adjustable on each other' to suit various thicknesses of books. The sheets of paper are held in the binderby members passing ytransversely therethrough and which members extend through the binder strips or plates. Formed on the outer face of the cover vplates parallelto-each other andextending transversely of such cover plates are hollow spaces in which lie coil springs, the outer end of such springs being secured to suitable means adjacent to the edge of the cover plates remote from the hinged portion and the other end o-f .said ,Springsl` being temporarily secured to .the projectingends of transversely extendingVV paper holding members. fVVheny the Ybinder is open VtoV its` fullest extent, the arrangement of the spring, cover plates, and binding stripsorplates is such that the outer `free edge of the cover plates tends .to move further away from eachother, thereby tending .to hold .the bookl open and allow the sheets of paper to lie substantially iat.

The object of my invention, therefore, is

an improved temporary binder or loose sheet holder vadapted 'to be held under tene sion in either the open or closed position. In the| accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention- Fig. l isa vertical sectional elevation of a binder in rclosed position;

Fig. 2 is a fragment-ary vertical sectional elevation of the binder in open position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe binder illustrated in Figs. l and 2;-

Fig. 4 isasectioiial elevation on the line e 4-4`of Fig. 3; y

Fig. 5 isa perspective view of a portion of a modified form of my binder;

Fig. AGis a sectional elevation through the spring holding .tube shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 .is a front elevation of a second modification of my invention, and

Fig. 8 is a detail showing one form of expanding and vcontracting device for the binder shown in Figs. 5 and 7 f j. Referring. to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. l-4, inclusive-,there is yshown a loose leaf binder, the sides -of which are each comprised of a member 10 of sheet ma.- terial ofany suitable kind and size, and arranged parallel to yand 'in the same plane with, but slightly spacedv therefrom,"is a strip l1 of similar material to the sheet 10, and on each side of'the members l0` and ll and secured ,thereto are. sheets of flexible n material l2. This structure so far described constitutes a hinged Aconstruction and lallows relative movement of the vmembers 10 and 1l with ,respect to eachother about the -hinged portion just described. Arranged longitudinally of the member l0 parallel to, but spaced apart from each other are members 13; which members extend substantially throughout the length of the members 10, as Vclearly shown in Fig. 8, .and the outer covering '12 Vis tightly-drawn over and ysecured to' the member'l, as clearly shown iii/Fig. 4. Each member ll() `adja- ,cent'to .itsjoining edge-with the member 1l yandin alignment with the axisof the mem- M bei' 13 'is provided with .a` perforation 14, which perforation also extends through the covering members l2. At the top and bottom of each ofthe members l0 adjacent to the 4joining point of such members 10with the members 11 are secured members 15, such members 15 being so arranged as to hold a rod 16 in position on the outside of the members 10 so as to have a tangent therefrom pass through the perforations 14, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

In each of the members 13 are arranged coil springs 17 and such springs are prevented from coming out of the members 13 by a closure 18 on the rear end thereof, which closure 18 is perforated to allow the free passage therethrough of a flexible tape or cord 19. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the right hand end of the lower parallel portion of the tape or cord 19 has secured thereto a button 2O which engages with the right hand end of the lower spring 17 and that this lower reach of the tape or cord 19 passes through the perforated elosure 18 over the rod 16, through the perforation 14, through a groove 21 formed in theI individual sheets of paper 22, thence through the other perforation 14 in the opposite member 10, around the rod 16, through the perforation in the closure 18, and the other end of the tape or cord 19 has secured thereto a button 23 which engages with the right hand end of the upper spring 17 sho-wn in Fig. 1. The length of the cord or tape 19 is such that, with a predetermined number of individual leaves 22 in the binder, the springs 17 are held under tension and that there is a free movement of that portion of the cord or tape 19 through the slot 21 in the sheets of paper 22. This construction in the position in Fig. 2 causes a binding or clasping action of the leaves 22 by the members 10, which action tends to hold the leaves closely together. Also, because of the flexible or extensible quality of the springs 17, the binder, when moved to the open position as shown in Fig. 2, allows the sheets to lie flat for practically their entire length.

Secured to the edge of the member 11 remote from the member 10 is a hinge member 24, and secured to the members 24 so as to join the same are hinges 25. The joining arrangement between the hinges 24 and 25 is such as to allow relative movement therebetween vso as to compensate for different thicknesses o-r number of leaves 22 or may be lined, as desired. Where the connection between the hinges 24 and 25 is a fixed one, I preferably arranged to slide over the hinges 24, a back 26 which protects the rear edges of thev leaves 22, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. lWhere the connection between the hinges 24 and 25 is made adjustable, I may, and preferably do, provide backs 26 of different widths. This, however, is merely a ldetail of construction and does not affect the patentability of the invention.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, there is shown a modified form of my invention and there are also shown side plates 30 and to each of which, at the rear edge thereof, are secured hinges 31 similar in all details to the hinges 24 described in connection with Figs. 1-4. Secured to the hinges 31 are plates 32 which extend inwardly toward each other and the opposing edges of the plates 32 are folded over on themselves, as shown at 33, to receive the folded over portions 34 of the closure member 35. The distance between the hinges 31 will be dependent on the width of the member 35 employed so that this modification of my invention takes care of backs of different thicknesses. Also, in this form of my invention I may utilize the backing 26 already described in connection with Figs. 1-4, inclusive. On the front edges of the side plates 30 are pivotally mounted by hinges 36 front side plates 37 which perform the function ascribed to the members 10I in Figs. 1-4. The length and width of the members 30 and 37 may be any size desired. In the angle formed between one of the plates 30 and its associated hinge 31 and secured therein by members 38 is a tube 39 in which is arranged a coil spring 40, and in Fig. 6 I have shown this spring 40 as being secured intermediate its ends to an eye 41 on the inside of the tube 39. Arranged at one end of the spring 40, for example, the right hand end as viewed in Fig. 6, is a button 42 to which is secured one end of a flexible tape or cord 43. This cord 43 extends entirely through the spring 40 to the left hand end thereof and passes out through the end of the tube 39, thence upwardly to any convenient point in the face of the member 30, thence through a perforation 44 in the member 30, thence upwardly to any other convenient point in the outer face of the member 30, thence through a perforation 45 at such point in themember 30, thence through perforations formed in sheets of paper that may be arranged in the folded structure just described, and through a perforation 46 in the opposite member 30, this end being knotted, as shown. In connection with the perforations 44 and 45, and in order to allow free movement of the flexible tape or cord 43 therethrough, I may arrange eyelet sheaves. At the left hand end of the spring 40, as viewed in Fig. 6, is arranged a button 47 and secured to such button is one end of a flexible cord or tape 48. This cord or tape 48 passes through the spring 40, thence outwardly from the tube 39 and through a perforation 49 arranged at any convenient point in the surface of the upper member 30, as shown in Fig. 5, thence upwardly along the outside of such member 30, thence through a second perforation 50 at any convenient point in the surface of such member 30, thence through the perforation or slot in llO any sheets of paper that may be in Vthe holder, and thence through a perforation 51 in the opposite or lower member 30, as viewed in Fig. 6, the end of the flexible tape or cord being knotted, as shown. As in the case of the perforations 44 and 45, there are arranged in connection with the perforations 49 and 50] eyelet sheaves to facilitate movement of the cords 43.

It is obvious, from an inspection of Figs. 5 and 6 illustrating this modification of my invention, and from the detailed description thereof, that the cords or tapes 43 and 48 are held under tension and are eXtensible so as to hold the folder in which they are incorporated in the closed position and also to allow the sheets of paper to be laid flat when the holder is in open position.

Referring now to Fig. 7, which shows in front elevation a second modification of my invention, there are shown hinges 60 and 61 spaced apart from each other and having secured thereto parallelly arranged plates 62 and 63, respectively, similar in composition to the plates 32 described in connection with Fig. 6. Also, there is associated with the plates 62 and 63 the closure plate or member 64'similar to the closure member 35. Secured to the hinge members 60 and 61 and extending outwardly therefrom, as viewed in Fig. 7, are side plates 65 and 66, respectively, which are identical in function and arrangement with the side plates 30 described in connection with Fig. 5.

In the angle formed by the hinge 60 and plate 62 is a tubular member 67 in which is arrange-d a coil sprino 68. One end of this coil spring, as the left hand end, abuts against a button or stop 69 secured to the interior of the tube 67. In the angle formed by the hinge 66 and member 63 and at each end thereof are bearings 70 in which is rotatably mounted a shaft 71 which therefore lies parallel to the tube 67 above described. The right hand end of the spring 68 is engaged by the button 72, to which button is secured one-end of a tape or cord 73. This cord or tape 73 extends entirely through the spring 68 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 7, thence through a perforation 74 in the wall of the tube 67, thence adjacent and parallel to, but across, the plates 62, 63, and 64, their end is wound on the shaft 71, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, the eXtreme end of this cord or tape 73 being secured in any convenient manner to the shaft. Associated with the perforation 74 is, preferably, though not shown, an eyelet sheaf. Passing through perforations properly spaced in the plate 65 are cords or tapes 75, the ends of such cords or tapes being knotted and engaging with the plates 65, as shown in Fig. 7. The cords or tapes 75 pass entirely across the intervening space between the plate 65 and 66 and pass through suitable perforations in such plates 66 and thence downward and around they shaft 71, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, the ends of such cords or tapes 75 being secured to the shaft 71 in any convenient manner. Assuming the intervening space between the plates 65 and 66 to be filled with paper and the tapes or cords 75 to pass through suitable perforations therein, rotation of the shaft 71, due to tension of the spring' 68, tends to shorten the space between the plate 65 and 66 and therefore tends to hold the plates 65 and 66 firmly against the sheets of paper mounted therebetween, this corresponding to the closed position of the binder. Also, it is obvious that, when the binder is moved to open position, as described, for example, in connection with Fig. 2, the resiliency of the spring 68 allows the cords or tapes 75 to rotate the shaft 71 so as to lengthen that portion of the tapes or cords 75 lying` between the plates 65 and 66 and permits the paper to lie fiat in open position as described in connection with Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown a rear elevation of a binder with the back plate 26 removed, and pivotally secured to the hinges 76 are arms 77 and 78. The arms 77 are pivotally attached to each other and .to van internally threaded member 79. The

arms 78 are pivotally attached to each other and to the internally threaded member 80. Assuming the internally threaded member 79 to be provided with left-hand threads and the internally threaded member 8OV to be provided with right-hand threads, it is obvious that, if a member 81 provided with right and left hand threads is associated with the members 79 and 80 and such member 81 provided with a member 82 by means of which the member 81 may be rotated, rotation of the member 81 in the proper direction will cause a movement of the hinges 76 toward or from each other. This construction maybe utilized in place of the hirges 25 shown in Fig. 3 or in place of the plates 32, 35, 62, 63, and 64 shown in Figs. 5 and 7.

It is obvious from the above descriptionl that my improved loose leaf binder is capable of holding sheets of any size or number and will hold such sheets in a compact pile when the binder is in closed position, and will allow the sheets of pape-r to lie flat when the binder is moved to open position, this being especially desirable in large binders such as are employed for loose leaf ledgers.

Vhile I have necessarily shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention somewhat in detail, it is to be understood that I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts within wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I Claim as new is:

l. In a loose leaf binder, the combination with side plates arranged parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other, of means extending between said side plates and hingedly connecting the said plates together, an extensible spring mounted on the exterior of one of said side members, and a sheetretaining cord extending between said side plates and having` one end thereof connected to said extensible spring.

2. In a loose leaf binder, the Combination of a pair of side plates arranged parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other, means for hingedly connecting said side plates together and adjusting the distance therebetween, extensible springs arranged on the exterior of each of said side plates, and a sheet-holding device extending between said side plates and having its ends secured to the springs on each side of the plates.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification.

RALPH W. E. LEACI-I. 

